VENTRICULAR-FIBRILLATION FOLLOWING ADENOSINE ADMINISTRATION

An 86-year-old woman was treated for atrial fibrillation. A total of 1.00 mg of digoxin and 12.5 mg of verapamil hydrochloride were administered intravenously during an 8-hour period with no slowing of her heart rate, but the rhythm became regular. Subsequently, 15 mg of verapamil hydrochloride was administered intravenously during a 40-minute period with no reduction in heart rate. Adenosine (6 mg) was then administered intravenously. Approximately 20 seconds after adenosine infusion into a vein in the patient's right arm, a 2.2-second pause developed, followed by ventricular flutter and then fibrillation. The patient required resuscitation and defibrillation.